190 results about "Process automation system" patented technology

Bi-directional communications via TCP ("Transmission Control Protocol")/IP ("Internet Protocol") between an HTML client program (i.e. "web browser") and the linked or embedded HTML server ("Hypertext Markup Language") of a Building Automation System ("BAS") are used to provide an authorized user with access to the interactive graphical panels of the BAS allowing the user to, for instance, monitor, control, configure and interact with the BAS or multiple BAS's.

Remote commissioning for an automation system enables a retailer to sell a new device to a customer pre-configured to work together with devices that are already a part of the user's automation system. Knowledge of how the devices are likely to be used at the automation system's location, a list of existing devices already installed and how they are configured, possible input from the customer, and the end user's current usage patterns are optionally used to configure the devices before they leave the store. Assisted local commissioning for an automation device enables an end user to commission devices themselves by simplifying the installation and commissioning process. The system uses a reference database of devices that includes information on how to commission the devices along with user-manual information and pictures for physical installation, and setup instructions so the system can walk a user through the process step by step.

The present invention relates to a wireless home automation system having a controller for controlling a broad variety of functions via two ways communication with a plurality of devices. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved and flexible way of routing signals from a controller to a device which includes the building of various tables such as routing tables. The improved and flexible way of routing allows the user to reach any device within the network with a high reliability. According to the invention, a processing unit of a controller is adapted to instruct a first device to discover other devices within its range by transmitting a signal comprising a device table holding device identifiers of devices controlled by the controller. The devices in the system are adapted to, upon instruction, perform a discovery of other devices within its range by transmitting discovery signals addressed to each device in the device table received from the controller. The devices save the identifiers of the device which acknowledges the reception of the discovery signals in a list indicating which devices of the device table it can reach and which it can not reach. The controller can at any time collect the saved list from a device to build a routing table.

The present disclosure is generally directed to automation systems and methods of use thereof to control devices. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including function-based controls and methods of assigning function-based controls to allow a user to add, relocate, and/or remove a device without requiring the user to reprogram the system.

A system and method for automatically contacting one or more contacts when a user makes travel plans. A profile is used to determine to which contacts messages are sent. One of the contacts can be a home automation system that is registered with an email system to enter an at-home or a traveling environment based on the message. The home automation system receives instructions from the user's profile passed through an email system. Contacts can be grouped into classes of contacts so that each class receives an appropriate level of itinerary detail based upon the sensitivity level of the class. For example, a high sensitivity class may include the user's family and secretary. The high sensitivity class is sent detailed itinerary information regarding the user's travel plans. A medium sensitivity class may include business colleagues of the user. The medium sensitivity class may receive itinerary information including the user's travel destination but may not include detailed hotel and flight information. Finally, a low sensitivity class may include customers and clients of the user and may only receive a message that the user is away from the office without any detailed destination information.

The present invention relates to document automation/assembly systems, and more particularly to document automation systems distributed over a network such as the Internet, and/or other communication networks. In addition, the present invention relates to methods, especially computer-implemented methods, to computer programs, and to recording media storing such programs for use in such systems.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for processing an electronic statement. In one embodiment, an electronic mail message addressed to an electronic mail address is received, the electronic mail message including bill information associated with a bill, where the bill information indicates a bill amount, a due date of the bill, a sender of the bill, and an addressee of the bill. A set of user preferences is obtained, and the bill information is processed according to the set of user preferences.

A framework for centrally controlling a plurality of building automation systems. The architecture and method automates a plurality of existing and new building automation systems comprising access control, HVAC, fire safety etc. in such a way that the plurality of building automation systems can be monitored and controlled from a central dashboard. The central dashboard effectively monitors, takes right decisions and remotely controls the buildings across the globe from a centralized location.

A method and system for controlling a home automation system by voice input provided via a telephone unit. A voice portal server receives a signal transmitted by the telephone unit, processes the signal to interpret the voice input, and generates command signals for controlling a home device in the home automation system based on the interpreted voice input. The voice portal server transmits the command signals over a data network or a telephone network to a home interface for receiving the command signals transmitted by the voice portal server. The home interface controls the home device in accordance with the received command signals.

An air distribution apparatus that serves as a single sensing device for both lighting, LiFi, and HVAC functions that are operable on a single platform by building automation systems. The building automation system may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The air distribution apparatus can operate in a single zone or coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown, self-balancing system which allows for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The air distribution apparatus includes multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for interfacing process controllers in a process automation system with one or more intelligent electrical devices of an electrical automation system to use process and electrical control space information to perform actions and make decisions regarding actions in a connected enterprise system to facilitate energy management goals as well as process control goals in view of electrical control space information and process control space information. Some embodiments include an enclosure for a Motor Control Center unit, comprising: a DC power supply; an Ethernet switch; a network gateway module; and a controller.

The present invention is directed to a system and method of monitoring assets of an enterprise, wherein the assets perform a process and include machines subject to vibration. The system includes a vibration diagnostic software system integrated with a process automation system and a computerized maintenance management system to provide a single window interface for controlling and monitoring a process, for monitoring and analyzing the vibration of the machines associated with the process and for managing the maintenance of the machines. This integration brings vibration data collection, transmission, analysis, historical recording, display and maintenance activities all together in a defined workflow.

A actuator for operating a valve in process automation. The actuator includes a separately operable, adjustment wheel and an electric motor having at least a stator and a rotor. The stator and rotor are associated with predetermined regions of an output shaft. A valve connection is provided in a first end region of the output shaft for coupling the actuator to the valve. The adjustment wheel is arranged in a second end region of the output shaft.

A software for controlling automation systems by using voice command. A user may speak a command into a microphone that is operatively connected to a computer. The software loaded on the computer may translate the voice command to computer readable commands. The computer may then schedule a specified day and time to implement the commands. During the specified time and day, the computer may control the automation system based on the specified command.

An automation system may include an automation module. The automation module is preferably configured to commence, maintain, and/or cease performing one or more automation actions in response to detecting user input, motion, proximity, other conditions, or any combination of one or more thereof. Exemplary automation actions include, but are not limited to, brightening lighting; darkening lighting; triggering a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide air flow; triggering an HVAC system to alter the temperature in one or more rooms or other generally enclosed areas; providing electricity (or other resource) to a resource consuming device; withdrawing electricity (or other resource) from a resource consuming device; increasing an amount of electricity (or other resource) provided to a resource consuming device; decreasing an amount of electricity (or other resource) provided to a resource consuming device; activating a resource consuming device; and deactivating a resource consuming device.

A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprises the steps of receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between the engineering/control system within the facility and the machines or installations; manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill the definition or specification and adapting the communication interface unit to the definition or specification; providing the communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing the machine or installation; delivering the machine or installation and the communication interface unit to the facility; and integrating the machine or installation equipped with the communication interface unit within the facility.

The disclosure relates to a device and a method for monitoring the data traffic on a fieldbus of a process automation system which comprises a plurality of field devices for carrying out a process function, which field devices can be controlled via at least one higher-level control unit, with a monitoring appliance for the data traffic and for passing on information contained in the data traffic to the higher-level control unit being connected to the fieldbus. The invention proposes that the monitoring appliance continuously records quality parameters of the data traffic and communicates them directly via a data radio channel to the level of the higher-level control unit which analyzes the quality parameters of the data traffic.

An integrated energy management and device automation system for managing a premises electrical system having a plurality of electrical circuits. The energy management and device automation system comprises a central controller. The central controller is configured to receive, over the premises electrical system, energy usage data from a plurality of modules and module originated notifications that a module has been connected to the premises electrical system. The central controller is configured to receive and send, over the premises electrical system, messages for device automation and control from a plurality of modules. The energy management system additionally comprises a plurality of modules. Each module comprises a processor, a powerline interface operatively connected to the processor and to one of the plurality of electrical circuits and a sensor operatively connected to the electrical circuit so that the sensor can sense at least one of current and voltage. Each module is configured to collect data relating to energy usage using the sensor and to transmit the data to the central controller. The central controller uses energy usage data to indentify, profile and analysis connected devices and their usage.

A Process Automation System and accompanying method provides for the automated or semi-automated creation of workflow management procedures having an arbitrary number of tasks to be performed manually or via computer automation in specified sequences. Workflows are automatically or in a semi-automatic generated by prompting the user with valid choices. After creating the workflow, the system then acts as the executive for execution; initiating tasks, tracking status, and managing intermediate and final products. The capability is provided to define new products and tasks for the system via a graphical user interface.

A method and system is provided for verifying and certifying the safety logic of a manufacturing automation system including safety logic, where the logic may include one or more safety modules, routines, programs and tasks or a combination thereof; testing specifications corresponding to the safety logic; one or more formal model generators adapted for automatically transforming the safety logic and testing specifications through a logic parser into their respective mathematical models, formatted for example, as a Petri-net or binary decision diagram; a safety logic verifier configured for automatically comparing the safety logic formal model against the testing specification formal model to verify the safety logic model for the purpose of certifying the safety logic. The testing specifications may include testing of safety logic behavior including reaching safe state, remaining in safe state without reset, recovering from safe state with reset and remaining active with false alarm detection.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for remotely triggering execution of events by a robotic process automation system in response to detection of a triggering signal. A set of executable events or actions may be received and stored for future processing, where the set of executable events are to be executed in direct response to a remote monitoring device or beacon detecting the presence of the triggering signal as it is emitted from a mobile device. The remote monitoring device is then instructed to scan a geographic area for the triggering signal. Once the remote monitoring device detects the triggering signal, an indication of the detection is automatically transmitted to the robotic process automation system. This robotic process automation system then automatically executes one or more events from the set of executable events through communication with one or more disparate devices or systems.